Turns out candidates all over the country have informed the White House that this would not be the best time for a presidential visit. The unpopularity of Obama's healthcare reform, the anger of "tea party" activists over runaway spending in Washington, the stubborn unemployment numbers that have left millions of Americans still out of work -- all are forcing Team Obama to be strategic about where to send the top of the ticket (not us of course).

Elsewhere, candidates are making their own political calculations about the pros and cons of a presidential appearance. Some, such as Carnahan, are conveniently electing to be out of town when he visits, concluding that an Obama embrace might do more harm than good.

Despite Obama's personal popularity among the Democratic base, his appearances have not always helped Democratic candidates cross the finish line. A rousing campaign appearance in New Jersey in July (in the photo above) did not save incumbent Jon Corzine. And no amount of campaigning was destined to save Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley from the phenom of 2009: Republican Scott Brown.

Still, the White House plans to put the president on the road at fundraisers over the summer and campaign stops after Labor Day.